A more lucid look at the Colts roster prior to Free Agency, Part III - Conclusion

by Ben Savage on May 14, 2011 6:51 PM EDT

After taking in-depth looks at the offense in this post and the defense in this one, it's time to round off the process by confirming our special teams players, and in doing so completing my estimate of our 53 man roster, which will be detailed below. Without knowing the salary cap for 2011 and whether certain CBA restrictions will remain in place, it's very difficult to make estimations - but I have done my best, and the results are after the jump..

Before going straight to the roster, it's time to sort out some final additions in terms of special teams personnel. It's fairly straightforward, and so here goes:

Long Snapper: Justin Snow

Punter: Pat McAfee

Kicker: Adam Vinatieri (re-signed)

The first two are still under contract with the Colts, and prior to the lockout negotiations were ongoing with regards a new contract for Vinatieri. All very straightforward, and the business with Adam will hopefully be done in short order once the season begins after this lockout nonsense is done.

And so, here is my prediction for the Colts 2011 roster in full:

QB: Peyton Manning (re-signed), Curtis Painter

RB: Joseph Addai (re-signed), Donald Brown, Delone Carter, Javarris James, Devin Moore

WR: Reggie Wayne, Austin Collie, Pierre Garcon, Anthony Gonzalez, Blair White, Taj Smith (re-signed)

TE: Dallas Clark, Jacob Tamme, Tom Santi, Brody Eldridge.

OL: Anthony Castonzo, Ben Ijalana, Jeff Saturday, Mike Pollack, Charlie Johnson (re-signed), Jacques McClendon, Jeff Linkenbach, Kyle DeVan.

DE: Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis, Jerry Hughes, Eric Foster (re-signed)

DT: Drake Nevis, Fili Moala, Antonio Johnson (re-signed), Brandon Mebane (signed in free agency)

LB: Gary Brackett, Clint Session (re-signed), Pat Angerer, Kavell Conner, Tyjuan Hagler (re-signed), Phillip Wheeler.

CB: Jerraud Powers, Justin Tryon, Kelvin Hayden, Kevin Thomas, Chris Rucker, Jacob Lacey.

S: Antoine Bethea, Ken Hamlin (re-signed), Mike Newton, Quintin Mikell (signed in free agency), Jamie Silva (re-signed)

K: Adam Vinatieri (re-signed)

P: Pat McAfee

LS: Justin Snow

So there we have it. That's my estimation for our roster in 2011, with a couple of fairly big name additions in free agency at SS and DT. Mebane and Mikell may not be the most expensive possibilities on the market, but they are experienced veterans who can add something to our defense which may allow us to progress further in the playoffs than we did last year. I sincerely hope we don't have the issues with injury that we did last year, because if we do not then we have a great chance of at least getting to the AFC Championship Game. Any further than that and we are beholden to luck as is the theme with any team that makes it to the Superbowl.

Without any final eight restrictions on free agency activity, we can finally pursue individuals whilst re-signing as many of our own as we like, and given the fact that we should be planning to be a final eight team until Peyton retires, this really is the year to capitalise.

That's enough of my thoughts though, what do you guys think?

Poll

How accurate do you think this estimate will prove to be?

Perfect - I think that all 53 of the players detailed above will be on the roster

15 votes

Good - I think that the targets in Free Agency may vary, but this is a reasonable attempt

96 votes

Poor - This isn't even close to being correct, with numerous players on the list that should not be

13 votes

Terrible - What the hell were you thinking?

3 votes

127 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.

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Comments

I

am in the minority but the Colts really need some help at WR, this is a real underwhelming bunch to me. The Colts really need a WR that is AT LEAST 6’2 and 220 lbs. I like that undrafted free agent (Ricardo Lockette) or go after somebody like Malcom Floyd, once lockout is lifted.

by Dito29 on May 15, 2011 8:43 AM EDT reply actions

I

dont understand why you put the measurables up there. we need good wr’s that can get seperation and catch the ball. height and weight doesnt matter

by omahacolt on May 15, 2011 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions

I think with our depth at TE our WR set isn't such a concern.

We can play a lot of 2WR 2TE 1RB sets where we can try and run the ball as well. Reggie is still a legitimate #1 despite him slipping, and I think Collie can lead the league in receptions if he stays healthy.

I do understand why you’d be concerned though.

Antoine Bethea - the most underrated safety in the NFL.

by Ben Savage on May 15, 2011 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Are you looking for a deep threat? Peyton has no where near enough time in the pocket for a deep threat to be of much use

Hank Baskett IS A WANKER

by ColtsUK on May 15, 2011 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

A more lucid look at the Colts roster prior to Free Agency, Part III

Fair roster prediction, however expect Ricardo Mathews to make the roster, Bill usually want to see what improvements a player makes in the second year.

by Luz on May 15, 2011 4:42 PM EDT reply actions

A more lucid look at the Colts roster prior to Free Agency, Part III

The colts intends to resign Melvin Bullit to a long term deal, else they would have drafted a safety early in the draft. Don’t be surprised if David Caldwell makes the roster, he was coming on nicely before the injury in pre-season last year. he was placed on IR to ensure that he is retained.

by Luz on May 15, 2011 4:48 PM EDT reply actions

I haven't seen much by way of suggestion that we do in fact intend to do so.

I think we’ll look around in free agency – of course, Bullitt being special teams captain obviously counts for something, so if he came back I wouldn’t be particularly surprised.

As for Ricardo Mathews, I really did ponder it – but there are better alternatives on the open market including Mebane who can play at 1-tech, and at the end of the day Mathews is only a 7th rounder.

Antoine Bethea - the most underrated safety in the NFL.

by Ben Savage on May 15, 2011 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd like to see Mathews.

I think he played decently when asked to, so I’d like to see what he would do next year. But I understand why he wouldn’t make it as well.

by MrN1519 on May 16, 2011 1:27 PM EDT reply actions

Lockout length could change things.

I do not expect to sign any free agents, would like to though. A few players from last year might be re-signed for next year due to they know the system. The longer the lockout lasts, more past Colts players will be signed.
I feel they will carry 4 rb’s. Devin Moore can be placed on the PS.
One more DT will be carried.
Jamie Richards will stay on current roster.

by Team2 DaBears on May 16, 2011 8:45 PM EDT reply actions